Leg assembly

ABSTRACT

A leg assembly for selective attachment to a portable support structure having a base and removable lid said leg assembly. The leg assembly includes a plurality of legs that are selectively attachable to both the base and lid. When attached, the legs extending from the base to the lid thereby supporting the lid. The legs are substantially parallel to one another. The assembly further includes at least one cross member extending between two of the legs to stabilize and prevent lateral movement of the legs. The cross member also abutingly contacts and supports the lid so that the base and lid may function as a support structure.

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/861,389, filed on Sep. 26, 2007, entitled “LEG ASSEMBLY” hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety. This invention relatesgenerally to a leg assembly, and more particularly to a leg assemblythat may be removably secured to a storage case to provide a stable andlightweight base so that the case may be optionally used as a supportstructure such as a table.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION Background of the Invention

Known storage cases may be selectively converted for use as a supportstructure such as a table. One such case has been used in militaryapplications and in particular as a chest to store equipment for use bymedical personnel. The case is manufactured from metal and includes fourrelatively wide metal legs that attach to both a base portion of thecase and a lid portion, which forms a support surface. These cases aretypically rectangular and include front, back and sidewalls. Whenconfigured as a table, the base portion has an open interior cavity thatcan be accessed by reaching between the legs.

Such cases are relatively unstable, however, as the legs are securedthrough a passive bracketing system. This system employs substantiallyU-shaped brackets secured to exterior walls of the base and lid. Thelegs slide into the brackets and are held against the exterior walls ofthe case. The brackets are located on the sidewalls of the base and lidand on the back walls of the same. The brackets are passive in that theymerely receive the legs and do not clamp or tighten down on them in anyway. As will be appreciated, wear and tear on these cases during use cancause tolerances between the passive brackets and the legs to increase.Tolerance increases can, in turn, result in lateral movement of the lidrelative to the base and instability of the support structure.

Additionally, known cases do not include any ancillary structuralsupports, such as cross members, that bridge and stabilize the legs andhelp support the weight of the relatively heavy metal lid. This lack ofsupplemental support further adds to the instability of the legs andimpairs the efficacy of such cases in the field.

Moreover, the legs of known cases do not allow attachment of lids withvarying depths. As will be appreciated, cases with larger capacitieshave lids and bases with deeper sidewalls. In known systems, differentsets of legs are required for each size lid to keep the support surfaceof the lid at a height that is comfortable for use as a table or thelike. This requires the manufacture, stocking and deployment of multiplelegs depending on the capacity of the case and size of the lid.

The legs of these cases are also quite wide and spaced in aconfiguration that does not allow for easy access to an interior cavityof the base. As stated above, two of the legs are secured to thesidewalls of the case. More specifically, the legs are secured to aportion of the sidewalls that is proximate the front wall of the base.Given the width of the legs, access to the interior cavity of the baseis partially obstructed. This can be problematic if the cases aredeployed for field use by military medical personnel who need to quicklylocate and extract equipment.

With the foregoing problems and concerns in mind, the general object ofthe present invention is to provide a leg assembly for a storage case,in particular a leg assembly that provides superior stability, allowsfor attachment of case lids of various sizes, and provides easy accessto an interior cavity of a storage case base.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a leg assembly.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a legassembly for a storage case.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight legassembly for a storage case.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a legassembly for a storage case that can be used to securely and stablysupport a lid of the case to that the case may be used as a supportstructure such as a table.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide alightweight leg assembly for a storage case that can be used to securelyand stably support a lid of the storage case to that the case may beused as a support structure through the use of an active bracketingsystem and cross-braces.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a legassembly for a storage case that may be used with case lids of varyingsizes.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a legassembly for a storage case that allows for unobstructed access to aninterior cavity of a base of the storage case.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be betterunderstood in view of the Figures and preferred embodiment describedherein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a closed storage case for use with aleg assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a leg assembly according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, with the leg assemblysecured to a base and lid of the storage case of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3a shows a front view of a single leg and mounting bracket of theleg assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3b shows a back view of the single leg and mounting bracket of FIG.3 a.

FIGS. 4a-4c show various additional views of the single leg and mountingbracket of FIG. 3 a.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show various views of the mounting bracket of the singleleg of FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of a cross-brace according to the preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged perspective view of the bottom portion of thesingle leg of FIG. 3a wherein the leg has been secured to a base of astorage case through a latching mechanism.

FIGS. 8a-8d show the leg assembly and storage case of FIG. 1 andgraphically illustrate the process by which the leg assembly is securedto the storage case for use as a support structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of astorage case 10 and leg assembly according to the present invention. Thecase 10 includes a bottom portion or base 12 and a top portion or lid14. The base 12 has a horizontal bottom panel 16 and four verticalpanels or walls, which include a front wall 18, a rear wall 20, and twosidewalls 22. The vertical walls form an inner cavity 24. The base 12also has a parting line edge 26 member around the periphery of thevertical walls. The term “parting line” refers to the portion of a casewhere the base and lid meet. Similarly, the lid includes four verticalpanels or walls, i.e., a front wall 28, a rear wall 30, and twosidewalls 32. The lid 14 includes a horizontal bottom panel 34 andperipheral parting line edge member 36, which aligns with the partingline member 26 of the base 12 when the case 10 is closed. The bottompanel 34 and vertical panels of the lid 14 form an inner cavity 38.

The case is secured in a closed position through the use of multiplelatching mechanisms 40 spaced apart along the vertical walls of the baseand lid. Each latching mechanism 40 is comprised of a strike 42 that issecured to the case lid 14 and a latch 44 on the base 12 that is inalignment with the strike 42. The latch 44 has a hooked upper portion 46that is designed to engage the strike 42. The latch also includes a cammember 48, which allows the hooked upper portion 46 to be clamped downon the strike 42 to secure the lid 14 to the base 12. Each strike 42 andlatch 44 are located in aligned recesses in the lid and base, 50, 52respectively. The general operation of the above-described latchingmechanism is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,254, which is incorporatedby reference in its entirety herein.

The case 10 is preferably manufactured from plastic through arotomolding process. As will be readily appreciated, however, othermaterials and processes may be utilized provided they are suitable toprotect whatever equipment or supplies are stored within the case.

The preferred embodiment of the inventive leg assembly for use with thecase 10 is depicted in FIG. 2. As shown, the assembly is comprised offour generally linear legs 54. The legs 54 are attached to the front andback walls of the base, 18, 20, and the front and back walls of the lid,28, 30. The legs 54 extend from the base 12 to the lid 14 to support andstabilize the lid 14 enabling it to function effectively as supportsurface. The legs 54 are attached to portions of the front and backwalls of the base 12 and lid 14 that are proximate the sidewalls, 22,32. The legs are preferably manufactured from a lightweight metal and,in one configuration, are 0.06-inches thick. The legs also have a seriesof spaced apart apertures or holes 55 which reduce weight.

The location of the legs on the base and lid are an important aspect ofthe present invention as they allow easy access to the interior cavity24 of the base. Prior art support structures have relatively wide legslocated on the sides and back of base and lid hindering access to theinterior of the base. As will be appreciated, in military and medicalapplications efficiency is critical. Moreover, the legs are located suchthat they do not extend out from the base or lid and therefore do notrequire any additional floor space.

As shown, the legs 54 have a lower portion or end 58 and a generallyU-shaped upper portion or end 60 and a central body portion 61. Theupper end 60 attaches to the lid 14 and the lower end 58 attaches to thebase 12. The upper end 60 includes a flat portion 57 and upper and lowerslots 64, 66. The legs 54 are shaped to fit into the lid and baserecesses 50, 52, respectively. Preferably, the legs 54 have a corrugatedcross-section or profile, which corresponds to the shape of the recesses50, 52 and increases strength of the legs. The inter-engagement ormating of the legs 54 and recesses 50, 52 helps align the lid 14 andbase 12 for use as a support structure. As discussed in greater detailbelow, the legs 54 are also connected and stabilized by two crossmembers 56, which extend between the front and back leg on oppositesides of the base 12 and lid 14.

The mating relationship of the legs and the recesses of the base and lidare yet another important aspect of the present invention. The recesseshelp to locate the legs so that they are properly aligned and stabilizethe support structure preventing lateral movement. Known cases do notinclude this feature. As such, the mating relationship imparts astructural stability not found in the art.

Turning now to FIG. 3a -FIG. 5b , the legs 54 are secured to the base 12through mounting brackets 62, that are attached to the lower end 58 ofeach leg. As shown in FIGS. 4a and 4c , the mounting bracket 62 andlower leg end 58 form a substantially U-shaped bracket or opening 80 inwhich the lower end of the leg 58 forms a first sidewall 82 and adownwardly extending portion of the mounting bracket 62 forms a secondsidewall 84. When installed, the first and second sidewalls 82, 84 ofthe legs 54 are placed over the front wall 18 of the base 12 so that thefront wall 18 is between the sidewalls 82, 84. When attached, thebrackets 62 distribute weight from the legs, cross members and lid onthe base parting line 26 and abutingly contact the interior and exteriorof the front wall 18 of the base 12 providing stability to the legs 54.The mounting brackets 62, which are load bearing, are preferablymanufactured from a strong, lightweight metal such as aluminum/magnesiumalloy 5052-H32. Other materials may be used as long as they aresufficiently strong to prevent a material failure.

The first and second sidewalls 82, 84 are important aspects of thepresent invention. Unlike known support structures which attach toeither a front or back side of a base wall, the present inventionemploys a U-shaped bracket having two side walls 82, 84 one of whichcontacts a front side of a base wall and the other a back or reverseside of a base wall. This configuration provides a degree of stabilityand strength not achieved with known systems.

The brackets 62 also include a series of weight reducing holes 55 andare secured to the legs through a plurality of bolts or like fasteners.Further, the mounting bracket 62 preferably includes a rubber liner 69on an inner portion of the bracket that contacts the parting line 26 toprotect the line and base 12 from damage. As will be readilyappreciated, it is desirable that the mounting bracket 62 be as wide aspossible to distribute the weight of the legs, cross members and lidover a larger area and increase stability. The width of the mountingbracket 62 is limited, however, by an inside radius between the frontwall 18 and sidewalls 22 of the base 12.

As shown in FIG. 5a , the downwardly extending leg or second sidewall 84of the bracket 62 is angled outward and away from the leg 54 at an angleΘ. As will be readily appreciated the angle is acute. The angledsidewall 84 causes the legs to extend slightly outward and away from thebase 12 when the cross member is not installed. Upon the addition of across member, the legs move inward to a substantially vertical positionand the mounting bracket 62 contacts the latch 44 to effectively“preload” the leg 54 with the latching mechanism 40 so that the latchmay then be cammed downward to secure the leg 54 to the base 12.

In addition to the mounting brackets 62, the legs 54 are secured to thebase 12 through the case's latching mechanism 40. As shown in FIGS. 3a,3b and 7 the lower end 58 of each leg 54 includes a latching slot 63that is sized to accommodate the hooked upper portion 46 of the latch 44that is normally used to secure the lid 14 to the base 12. When a leg 46is secured to the base 12, the mounting bracket 62 is first placed onthe front wall so that it extends into the base inner cavity and the leg54 is lowered toward the base. After the leg 54 has been lowered acertain distance, the hooked upper portion 46 of the latch 44 is placedthrough the latching slot 63 and the latch 44 is urged downward therebysecuring the leg 54 to the base 12.

The attachment of the legs to the base 12 through the latching mechanism40 is yet another important aspect of the present invention. Known casesuse a passive attachment means in which legs are simply inserted inmetal brackets on the exterior of a case. Repeated use of such cases inthe field leads to increased lateral movement of the legs and rendersthe cases unstable. In sharp contrast, the present invention employsboth a mounting bracket and an active latching system in which themechanism used to latch the lid to the base is utilized to secure andstabilize the legs. As will be readily appreciated, stability of supportstructures is critically important in medical and military applicationsfor which many of such cases are used. The active latching mechanism ofthe present invention provides a level of stability and strength notfound in known cases.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the lid 14 rests on the cross members 56 whichare attached to the legs 54. The lid 14 is held in place by theinter-engagement of the corrugated profile of the leg 54 and the lidrecess 50 which have corresponding or mating surfaces. As discussedabove, this inter-engagement prevents the lateral movement of the lid 14relative to the legs 54 and base 12.

The cross members 56 are secured to the legs 54 at attachment pointslocated on the legs. More specifically, the cross members 56 areattached to the legs 54 through slots machined in the body 61 of eachleg. The slots are sized and shaped to accept the cross members 56,support the lid 14, and provide stability. As shown, there are twoattachment points or slots per leg 54, an upper slot 64 and a lower slot66. The cross members 56 may be placed in either the upper or lowerslots 64, 66 depending on the size of the lid 14. In its preferredconfiguration, the upper slot 64 allows a 2-inch deep lid to beemployed. The lower slots 66 provide for the use of a deeper lid having9-inch sidewalls. The upper slot 64 is located at the upper end 60 ofeach leg 54 and has an open end into which the cross member 56 islowered. The lower slot 66 is located at approximately the midpoint ofeach leg 54 and does not include an open end. As such, the cross member56 is inserted laterally into the lower slot 66 and then lowered intoposition. As will be appreciated, the upper and lower slots are locatedat the same positions on each leg 54 in the assembly so that the crossmembers 56, when installed, are horizontal and parallel to the lid. Boththe upper slot 64 and lower slot 66 have end portions 65, 67,respectively, which support the weight of an inserted cross member 56and the lid 14.

The slots 64, 66 are spaced on the leg body 61 so that top of the leg 54is flush with the parting line 36 of the lids. That is, if the lowerslot 66 is employed with a 9-inch lid 14, the top of the legs 54 areflush with the parting line 36. If the upper slot 64 is used with a2-inch lid 14, the top is flush with the parting line 36 as well. Thiskeeps the lids 14, i.e., the table top, at a consistent comfortableheight regardless of whether a 2 or 9-inch lid is used. Additionally,the distance between the flat portion 57 of each leg 54 and the top of across member 56 installed in the upper slot 64 is great enough so that alid 14 can be placed cavity side down without damaging the strikes 42 onthe lid exterior.

The leg slots are a significant aspect of the present invention as theyallow cross members to be attached at multiple locations to accommodatelids, and cases, of various sizes. Known cases do not allow for this andwould require multiple sets of legs for each size case. This wouldrequire the manufacture, stocking and deployment of multiple leg sets,which is inefficient and expensive.

Turning now to FIG. 6, the cross members 56 are generally linear inshape and include two opposing end portions 68. Each end portion 68 hasa mounting slot 70 that is generally S-shaped with an open end 72 and aterminal end 74 having an abutment surface 76. The abutment surface 76contacts the end portions 65, 67 of the leg slots 64, 66 and is weightbearing. The mounting slot 70 is sized and shaped to accommodateattachment to the legs 54. When a cross member 56 is inserted into a legslot 64 or 66, a portion of each leg 54 directly below each leg slotextends into the mounting slot 70 of the cross member 56 until the endportion 65, 67 of the mounting slot 70 contacts the abutment surface 76of the leg slot.

The shape of the mounting slot 70 is such that there are four points ofcontact between each leg 54 and an inserted cross-member 56. The contactbetween the abutment surface 76 of the cross member 64 and the endportions of the leg slots 65, 67 is weight bearing. The remaining threepoints of contact between the mounting slot 70 and the body portion 61of each leg 54 provide stability. This configuration, as opposed to alinear mounting slot, reduces friction between the legs and crossmembers and simplifies the manufacturing process.

The cross members are preferably manufactured from a lightweight metal.In a preferred embodiment, the cross members are 0.25-inch thickaluminum. This thickness was chosen to maximize the contact area of eachcross member 56 and the lid 14. As will be appreciated, thickermaterials may be used provided they are sufficiently lightweight andstrong. The cross members also contain cut away holes 55 to reduceweight.

As will be readily appreciated, the cross members are another importantfeature of the present invention. The cross members act to stabilize thelegs and securely support the lid. Known cases do not include crossmembers or any ancillary support structure other than the legsthemselves. The cross members of the present invention help create asupport that can be used under the most rigorous of conditions anddeployments.

Although the cross members 62 are a critical component of the presentinvention, the legs 54 may be used temporarily without cross members ifthey are unavailable. In this configuration, the strike 42 of the lid 14contacts the flat portion 57 of the leg 54 to support the lid 14 (FIGS.2 and 3 b).

FIGS. 8a-8d graphically depict the assembly of the preferred embodimentof the present invention. The mounting brackets 62 of the legs 54 arefirst attached to the base 12 by placing them over the front and rearwalls 18, 20. The cross members 56 are then inserted in the leg slots64, 66 until the abutment surfaces 76 of the mounting slots 70 contactthe terminal ends 74 of the leg slots. The hooked upper portion 46 ofthe latch 44 is then inserted through the latching slot and the latch isclosed securing the legs to the base. The lid 14 is then lowered ontothe cross members so that it rests on the cross members and so that itsrecesses 50 matingly engage the legs 54 securing the lid 14 andpreventing its lateral movement.

As will be appreciated, the present invention also has utility withoutthe lid 14 and without all four legs 54. For example, a single leg 54may be attached to the base 12 for use as a support structure forhanging equipment such as IV bags.

In sum, the present invention through the use of an active latchingsystem, mounting brackets, slots, cross members and mating surfaces,provides a support structure that is stronger, lighter and more stablethan known systems. Moreover, the present invention provides a versatilesupport assembly that can be used with cases of various sizes andcapacities. Known cases do not provide these benefits.

While many advantages of the present invention can be clearly seen fromthe preferred embodiment described, it will be understood that thepresent invention is not limited to such an embodiment. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that many alterations and variations arepossible within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A latching mechanism and a support structure on aportable storage case, wherein said latching mechanism comprises: astrike located on a top portion of said portable storage case; a latchhaving a hooked upper portion, said latch located on a bottom portion ofsaid portable storage case; and a cam member in operative connectionwith said latch; wherein said support structure comprises at least firstand second sets of legs and at least first and second cross members,each leg having a first end portion and an opposing second end portion;wherein said hooked upper portion engages said strike and cams saidstrike downward to secure said top portion to said bottom portion; andwherein, when said first and second sets of legs are used, said hookedupper portion engages said first end portion of one of said legs tosecure said leg to said bottom portion to form said support structure,and each cross member engages a second end of each of said legs in arespective one of said sets of legs to form a support for said topportion of said portable storage case.
 2. The latching mechanism andsupport structure of claim 1 wherein said first end portion of said oneof said legs has a latching slot, said latching slot being configured toaccept the hooked upper portion of the latch and allow said one of saidlegs to be cammed downward and secured to said bottom portion of saidportable storage case.
 3. The latching mechanism and support structureof claim 2 wherein said strike and said latch are located withinrecesses in said top portion and bottom portion of said storage case,said recesses having a profile.
 4. The latching mechanism and supportstructure of claim 3 wherein said one of said legs has a corrugatedprofile that corresponds to the profile of the recesses so that said oneof said legs may be placed within said recesses when being secured toprevent lateral movement of said one of said legs.
 5. The latchingmechanism and support structure of claim 1, wherein each leg isremoveably connected to said bottom portion when said hooked upperportion engages said leg, and wherein said hooked upper portion, whenengaged with said leg, is configured to be disengaged from said leg,said leg being removable from said bottom portion when the hooked upperportion is disengaged from said leg.
 6. The latching mechanism andsupport structure of claim 1, wherein each leg has a lengthwisedimension extending from said first end portion to said second endportion, each leg having a width dimension that is smaller than saidlengthwise dimension.
 7. A latching mechanism and a support structure ona portable storage case, wherein said latching mechanism comprises: anengagement member located on a top portion of said portable storagecase; a latch having an upper portion, said latch located on a bottomportion of said portable storage case; and wherein said supportstructure comprises a leg assembly having a plurality of sets of legsand a plurality of cross members, each leg having a first end portionand an opposing second end portion; wherein said upper portion of saidlatch engages said engagement member to selectively secure said topportion to said bottom portion; wherein, when said plurality of legs isused and said upper portion of said latch is not engaged with saidengagement member, said upper portion of said latch engages said firstend portion of one of said legs to secure said leg to said bottomportion of said portable storage case and each cross member engages asecond end of each of said legs in a respective one of said sets of legsto form a support for said top portion of said portable storage case. 8.The latching mechanism and support structure of claim 7, wherein eachleg is removeably connected to said bottom portion when said upperportion of said latch engages said leg, and wherein said upper portion,when engaged with said leg, is configured to be disengaged from saidleg, said leg being removable from the bottom portion when said upperportion is disengaged from said leg.
 9. The latching mechanism andsupport structure of claim 7, wherein each leg of said leg assembly hasfirst end portion and an opposing second end portion, wherein the firstend portion of each leg is engaged by a respective latch when said legis used, to removeably connect said leg to said bottom portion.
 10. Thelatching mechanism and support structure of claim 7, wherein, when saidleg assembly is used, each leg of said leg assembly is removeablyconnected to said bottom portion and to said top portion to form saidsupport structure.
 11. The latching mechanism and support structure ofclaim 7, further comprising a plurality of latches, including saidlatch, each latch having an upper portion and being located on saidbottom portion of said portable storage case, wherein, when said legassembly is used, said upper portion of each respective latch engages adifferent respective one of said legs to secure said legs to said bottomportion.
 12. The latching mechanism and support structure of claim 11,further comprising: a plurality of engagement members, including saidengagement member, each engagement member being located on said topportion of said portable storage case; wherein said upper portion ofeach latch is configured to engage a respective one of said engagementmembers to selectively secure said top portion to said bottom portion,when said upper portion of each latch is not engaged with said legs. 13.The latching mechanism and support structure of claim 7 wherein saidfirst end portion of each leg has a latching slot, said latching slotbeing configured to accept said upper portion of said latch and allowsaid leg to be cammed downward and secured to said bottom portion ofsaid portable storage case.
 14. The latching mechanism and supportstructure of claim 7 wherein said engagement member is located within arecess in said top portion, and said latch is located within a recess insaid bottom portion of said storage case, each of said recesses having aprofile.
 15. The latching mechanism and support structure of claim 14wherein each leg has a corrugated profile that corresponds to theprofile of the recesses so that said leg may be placed within saidrecesses when being secured to prevent lateral movement of said leg. 16.The latching mechanism and support structure of claim 7, wherein eachleg has a lengthwise dimension extending from said first end portion tosaid second end portion, each leg having a width dimension that issmaller than said lengthwise dimension.
 17. A latching mechanism and asupport structure, wherein said support structure comprises a portablecase having a top portion and a bottom portion; wherein said latchingmechanism comprises: an engagement member located on the top portion ofsaid case; a latch having an upper portion, said latch located on thebottom portion of the case; wherein said support structure furthercomprises a leg assembly having a plurality of sets of legs and aplurality of cross members, each leg having a first end portion and anopposing second end portion; and wherein said upper portion of saidlatch engages said engagement member to secure said top portion of saidcase to said bottom portion of said case, and wherein, when said legassembly is used and said upper portion of said latch is not engagedwith said engagement member, said upper portion of said latch engagesone of said legs to secure said leg to said bottom portion of said caseand each cross member engages a second end of each of said legs in arespective one of said sets of legs to form a support for said topportion of said portable case.
 18. The latching mechanism and supportstructure of claim 17, wherein each leg is removeably connected to saidbottom portion of said case when said upper portion of said latchengages said leg, and wherein said upper portion of said latch, whenengaged with said leg, is configured to be disengaged from said leg torelease said leg, said leg being removable from the bottom portion ofsaid case when said leg is released.
 19. The latching mechanism andsupport structure of claim 17, further comprising a plurality oflatches, including said latch, each latch having an upper portion andbeing located on said bottom portion, wherein: each leg of said legassembly, when secured to the bottom portion of said case, is removeablyconnected to said bottom portion of said case and to said top portion ofsaid case; and said upper portion of each respective latch selectivelyengages a different respective one of said legs to secure said legs tosaid bottom portion.
 20. The latching mechanism and support structure ofclaim 17 wherein said first end portion of each leg has a latching slot,said latching slot being configured to accept said upper portion of saidlatch and allow said leg to be cammed downward and secured to saidbottom portion of said portable case.
 21. The latching mechanism andsupport structure of claim 17 wherein said engagement member is locatedwithin a recess in said top portion of said case, and said latch islocated within a recess in said bottom portion of said case, each ofsaid recesses having a profile corresponding to a profile of arespective one of said legs, so that said leg may be placed within oneof said recesses when being secured to prevent lateral movement of saidleg.
 22. A latching mechanism and support structure for a portablestorage case, wherein said latching mechanism comprises: an engagementmember located on a top portion of said portable storage case; a latchhaving an upper portion, said latch located on a bottom portion of saidportable storage case; and wherein said support structure comprises aleg assembly having a leg, said leg having a first end portion and anopposing second end portion; wherein said upper portion of said latchengages said engagement member to selectively secure said top portion tosaid bottom portion; wherein, when said leg is used and said upperportion of said latch is not engaged with said engagement member, saidupper portion of said latch engages said first end portion of said legto secure said leg to said bottom portion of said portable storage case;wherein said leg assembly comprises a plurality of pairs of legs,including said leg, wherein said support structure further comprisesfirst and second cross members, each cross member engaging a second endof each of said legs in a respective one of said pairs of said legs toform a support for said top portion of the portable storage case.